Clock striking mechanism.



No. 748,108. PATENTED DEC. 29, 1903.

n A. 0. SGHUMAN.

GLCK STRIKING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED'SBPT. 2, 1903. N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1..

F UJF) MQJM.

A llorney$ No. 748,108. PATENTED DEG. 29, 1903.

v A. G. SCHUMAN. CLOCK STRIKING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2, 1903.

No MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.Lr L

A llarneur.

No. 748,108. PATBNTBD DBG. 2, 1903. A. o. SGHUMAN..

CLOCK STRIKING MEGHANISM.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII PT. 2, 1903.

No. 748,108. Patented December 29, 17903.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

ALEXANDER CHARLES SCHUMAN, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO ROBERT W. BINGIIAM, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

CLOCK STRIKING M ECHANISIVI.

SPECIFICATION forming part f Letters Patent N o. 748,10 3, dated December 29, 1903.

Application filed September 2, 1903. Serial No. 171,662. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern: shown in Fig. l. Figs. 9 and lO are views of Be it known that/I, ALEXANDER CHARLES the locking-wheel and rim or companion SOHUMAN, of Louisville, in the county of Jefwheel, showing the arrangemnt of notches ferson and State of Kentucky, have invented thereon in the clocks shown in Figs. 4, 5, and certain new and useful Improvements in 7. Fig. 11 is adetail view of the mechanism 55 Clocks; and I hereby declare that the followfor shifting the locking-finger. Fig. l2 is a ing is a full, clear, and exact description detail view of a modification wherein the thereof, reference being had to the accomnotched wheels are independently driven by panying drawings, which form part of this a shiftable pinion.

ro speciiication. In the drawings, A designates the winding- 6o 'lhisinventionis an improvement in clocks, shaft on which the strike-wheel Bis mounted and has particular reference to the striking in usual manner, shaft A being rotated by a mechanism thereof, its object being to prospring (not shown) and transmitting motion vide improved mechanism of very simple conthrough a train of gears, as usual, to the construction whereby the hour-strokes are retrolling-wheel C, which is normally arrested 65 -peated at the half-hours and preferably the by the stop-rod d, fastened to a rock-shaft D, half-hour indicated by a stroke on a distincio which shaft the lockingfinger d is attive-toned bell or gong. It is also preferable tached, said finger extending to the striketo have the half-hour struck before the repewheel B and having its end bent down to zo tition of the hour. By these means the time engage the teeth or notches of said wheel, as 7o can be determined by the strokes without the usual. In the construction shown in Figs. necessityof seeing the clock,renderingitpar 1 to 3 the wheel B has no deep lockingticnlarly usefull at night. notches in it,but is simply uniformly toothed,

In the present invention the minute-hand so that it can be rotated by the small pinion z5 shaft is utilized to trip the half-hour strike a on the shaft of one of the intermediate 75 mechanism as well as the hour and hour-regears of the train driving,r the locking-wheel peating strike mechanisms, and the construcfrom shaft A, this arrangement of gearing tion is such that it can be readily applied to being common. To the side of wheel B, howordinary timepieces with little expense and ever, is attached a notched rim b, having a 3o without complicating or disarrangiug the double series of hour locking notches b', 8o usual trains of strike and time mechanism. wilh which the locking-finger d successively The invention will be clearly understood engages to stop the action of the striking from the following description in connection mechanism after each series of hour-strokes with the accompanyingdrawings, in whichor repetition of such strokes. This rim b Figure lis afront view of the striking-train contains twice as many locking-notches as Sr of an ordinary clock provided with my imthe ordinary strike-wheel would have. Conproved half-hour strike and hour-repeating sequently in one revolution of wheel B there mechanism and showing so much of the orare strike-sections for all the hours on the hour dinary time mechanism as is needful to imandforrepetitions of all the hours on the halfpartaclear understanding thereof. Fig. 2 is hours. Thus there are two consecutive siX- 9o a side view of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a detail peroclock sections, two consecutive sevenspective View of the half-hour strike and houroclock sections, dac. This rim b is permastriketrippingdevices. Figifisadelailview nently connected to wheel B and forms virshowing a4 modification of the striking mechtually part thereof, as shown.

anism. Fig. 5 is a side View of Fig. LL. Fig. The shaft D is rocked on the hours, so as 95 6 is a detail perspective of the hammer-supto disengage the locking-finger from a notch porting shafts of Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 7 is a in rim l; and stop-rod d from the stop-pin c detail View illustrating devices for shifting on wheel C by means of the usual devices, the strike-wheel and rim instead of the lockcomprising a lift-rod c on a rock-shaft E, ad-

5o ing-finger. Fig. Sis a detailview of the rim jacent to but below shaft D, said trip-rod roo underlying the locking-finger d' and adapted to lift it when shaft E is properly rocked. ShaftE has a depending arm e' which depends beside the minute-hand shaft F and is engaged every hour by a pin f on said shaft, which at the proper time causes arm e' to rock shaft E and disengage the lockingfinger from a locking-notch, as usual. Shaft E also carries the controller-rod e2, which prevents wheel C rotating during the uplifting of the locking-finger and until pin fhas actuated and released arm e', whereupon the strike-wheel begins to revolve and contin ues to revolve until the locking-fingerdrops into one of the locking-notches ZJ in lrim b, which brings stop-rod d into the path of pin c and stops wheel C- until the locking-finger is again raised. The hourhammer g is carried on a rock-shaftI G, which has an arm or rod g', that projects upwardly beside the controller-disk N, which is mounted on the shaft of one of the intermediate train of gears between shaft A and wheel C, said disk having laterallyprojecting pins 7L, which successively engage rod g and cause it to rock shaft G, and the hour-gong` G' is sounded each time the rod g is released by a pin h. The shaft D has a finger cl3, which overlies the disk N and is adapted to enter notches n' in the periphery of said disk, as usual, the parts of the mechanism thus far described, excepting the peculiar construction of wheel B and rim b, being similar to those ordinarily employed in striking-clocks.

The mechanism for striking the half-hour gong and for tripping the hour-strike mechanism at the half-hours is as follows: Below the minute-hand shaft F is a rock-shaft H, to which is attached an arm 7i, which projects up beside shaft F, and its upper end is bent into position to be struck by pin fon shaft F and rocked thereby when the shaft F has been turned around to half-past7 position. To the other end of the shaft is attached a rod h', which carries a hammer h2 and is adapted to strike a gong H when the shaft l-I is rocked and released by pinfdisengaging arm lt', thus sounding one stroke on a distinctive sounding-gongatthehalf-hour. Itwillbeobserved by reference to Fig. 3 that rod h is bent, as at h3, so as to underlie the lower arm t of a bell-crank lever l, which is pivoted at its bend, and its upper end t" underlies the rod e2, and consequently when shaft H is rocked, as described, to cause the half-hour strike, lever I will through e2 rock shaft E, disengaging the locking-finger d from rim b and stop-rod d from pin c. Consequently the preceding hour-stro kes will be repeated until the locking-finger drops into the neXt notch of the locking-wheel rim l). Thus at every hour j the proper strokes will be sounded by hain- In the modification shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 the arrangement of the hour-striking mechanism is the same as that already described, corresponding parts being similarly lettered. In this latter construction, however, instead of using a single rim b, containing a double set of hour-strikes, I employ a wheel B2 and attached rim b2, each containing a certain proportion ofthehour-strikes. Consequently both the wheel B2 and rim h2 are provided with locking-notches. in this modification instead of using a separate rock-shaft H the half-hour hammerj` is hung on a short sleeve J, which is jonrnaled on one end of shaft G and is controlled by a spring J. To this sleeve is attached an arm j', which projects toward shaft F and has a pinj2 on its side adapted to be struck every half-hour by a pin f2 on shaft F, and thereby caused to rock sleeve J' against the tension of the spring J2, which causes the hammer to sound a suitablylocated gong when pin f2 disengages pinl7`2. Arm j, moreover, has its upper end bent so as to engage the lower end of arm e. when the rod j is rocked by pinf2, and thus the rocking of sleeve J to sound the half-hour causes the rocking of shaft E, so that arm e lifts locking-finger d and the hour-strikes are repeated immediately after the halfhour strike by the hammer g. The strike-sections and lock-notches in the wheels B2 and rim b2 are equally divided, half of them heing in the strike-Wheel B2 and the other half in the periphery of the rim h2, attached to said wheel. The sections from four oclock to half-past nine, inclusive, are contained in the wheel B2, the sections from ten oclock to half-past three, inclusive, in the rim b2. The locking-finger d' engages alternately with the strike-wheel B2 and with the attached rim b2, the change from one to the other occurring once for each complete revolution of said wheel B2. The arrangement of strike-sections is such that after repeating the hour-strike at half-past nine on the wheel B2 the finger d changes` to the rim h2, then during the next revolution of the wheel B2 the hours from ten oclock to and including half-past three are struck on rim b2, and the finger d' then changes back to the wheel B2, and during the next revolution of said wheel four oclock and the intervening hours and half-hours up to and including half-past nine are sounded on the wheel, then another revolution of the strike-wheel being lcompleted the change back to the rim occurs.

The locking-finger d' in the construction shown in Fig. ll is guided ina spring-arm K, which normally holds the finger CZ' in position to engage the notches in rim b; but at the proper time a cam A2 on the side of gearwheel A', which transmits motion from shaft A to the striking-train, engages the end of arm K and forces the latter outward, so that finger d' is shifted from the rim l) to the wheel B2 and is kept in this position until the wheel makes a revolution. In the construction lOO IID

shown in these iigures wheel B2 and rim Z) make two revolutions to each revolution of gear A'.

Instead of shifting the locking-iinger d from the rim to wheel, as described, the wheel and rim may be shifted together on shaft A, so as to alternately engage the locking-finger, such constructions indicated in Figs. e, and 7, wherein the said wheel and rim are supported on a collared sleeve L, surrounding shaft A, said collar being engaged by a springarm L', which normally keeps the wheels B2 in position for engagement with the lockingfinger; but atthe proper time the cam A2 on gear A engages a iinger L2 on the spring-arm and forces the latter outward, causing it to shift wheel B2 and lthe rinrb and keep the latter in position to engage the tinger d during the next revolution ot' wheel B2.

In the modification indicated in Fig. l2 two strike-wheels B2 and b2 are used side by side, the latter having the same relation to wheel B2 as the rim b in Figs. 4 and 5 and having strike-notches like the rim. Said wheels are rotated alternately by means of the pinion b3 on the shaft of one of the gears of the strikingtrain, and suitable mechanism (not shown) may be provided to shift said pinion on its shaft at the proper time, so as to alternately rotate the wheels. The mechanism shown in Fig. 8 may he employed to shift the lockingiinger at the proper times to engage the proper wheel B2 or b2.

In the clock shown in Figs. l to 4- the strikesections and the locking-notches are all contained in the rim b, attached to the side of what is normally the strike-wheelof the clock, the locking-iinger remaining always over said rim in position to engage with same. By comparing this clock with that shown in Fig. it will be seen that to the disk N, which carries the tappets or pins it, which operate the bellhanimer, I have added two additional tappets and two additional cam-notches. rIhis causes the hammer g to sound the bell twice as often for one revolution of said disk and likewise twice as often during one revolution of strikewheel, so that I am able to sound all the hours from one oclock to twelve with repetitions thereof at the half-hours during one revolution of the strike-wheel. Consequently all of the strike-sections, both for the hours and also for the repetition of the previous hour at the half-hours,are contained in the rim b,attached to the side of strike-wheel, and this clock will strike eight days without additional spring. In the modifications shown in Fig. 4 two revo- Iutions of the strike-wheel are required in order to sound the hours from one to twelve with repetitions of the hours at the half-hou rs. This is due to the fact that the strike-sections are divided between the wheel and the rim and to the tact that the additional tappets cannot be added in either of these forms.

In the form shown in Fig. l2 the secondary strike-wheel b2 is substituted for and instead of the rim l) on strike-wheel in Figs. i to 3 and contains the same arrangement of strikesections as does the said rim in Figs. 4 to 8. rIhe two strike-wheels in this plan are movable independent of each other and are alternately rotated each for a complete revolution by the laterally-sliding pinion, the change `from one to the other being` timed to occur eX- actly as explained in the description of the tirst modification.

In all the moditications, taking twelve as a starting-point, the clock will strike on the wheel in use at that time until 3.30 oclock. It then shifts to the other wheel and so continues until 9.30 oclock. It then shifts to iirst wheel again and continues with that wheel until 3.30. In other words, the shifts from wheel to wheel are only made at 3.30 and 9.30, the reason for this being that each wheel or rim must make seventy-eight strokes on bell.

In the preferred form, (shown in Figs. l to 3,) where tourtappet-pins it are employed and four notches in the disk, the strike-wheel will permit one hundred and lifty-six strokes on hour-gong for each revolution of said wheel. Figs. l0 and Il show the two strike-wheels or strike-wheel and rim side by side in positions which they occupy when properly axially alined, these figures showing the deep notches at 3.30 and 9.30 in the proper relative positions and also the relative arrangement of notches in the wheels or wheel and rim. Of course where the rim is used the teeth (shown on wheel b2 in Fig. 9) are unnecessary, and therefore are omitted.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I therefore claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent thereon, is-

I. In combination with the hour-striking mechanism of a clock provided with two series of hour-strokes; a half-hour-strike mechanism adapted to sound one stroke, and devices actuated by the half-hour-strike mechanism whereby the hour-striking mechanism is released on the half-hours, the half-hour stroke sounded, and the preceding hourstrokes repeated, substantially as described.

2. In a clock, the combination of an hourstriking, mechanism arranged to repeat the hour-strokes on the half-hours; a. half-hourstriking mechanism, mechanism actuated by the minute-hand shaft for tripping the hourstriking mechanism on the hours, and the half-hour-striking mechanism on the halfhours, and devices actuated by the half-hourstriking mechanism whereby the hour-striking mechanism is released on the half-hours, substantially as described.

3. In a clock, the combination of striking mechanism adapted to strike the hours on the hour, and repeat them on the half-hour, on one gong, and a half-hour-striking mechananism adapted to strike the half-hours only on a distinctive gong; devices on the minutehaud shaft of the clock adapted to trip the hour-striking mechanism on the hour, and the hali-hour-striking mechanism on the halfhours; and devices actuated by the half- IOO IIC

hour-striking mechanism adapted to trip the hour-striking mechanism on the half-hour, substantially as described.

'-i. In a clock, the combination of a strike- Wheel provided with two series of notches for repeating the hours during one revolution of the strike-Wheel; an hour-strike mechanism having a controlling-disk provided With four notches and four strike-hammer-actuating pins, means for releasing the locking-nger on the hours, and a half-hour-strike mechanism adapted to release the locking-linger on the half-hours to produce a repetition of the hour-strokes, substantially as described.

5. In a clock, the combination of a strike- Wheel provided with two series of notches for repeating the hours during one revolution of the strike-Wheel, means for rotating said strike- Wheel once during twelve hours; an hour-strike mechanism having acontrollingdisk provided With four notches and four strike-hammer-actuating pins, means on the minute-hand shaft for releasing the lockingfinger on the hours, and a halfhourstrike mechanism, means for actuating the halfhour-strike mechanism from the minute-shaft on the half hours, and devices actuated by the half-hour mechanism for releasing the hour-striking mechanism to obtain a repetition of the hourstrokes on the half-hours, substantially as described.

G. In a clock, an hour-striking mechanism having a double strike-Wheel, part of the strike-notches being in one wheel, and part in the other, mechanism for causing the locking-finger to act with one Wheel during a revolution thereof, and then act with the other.

7. In a clock, an hour-striking mechanism adapted to repeat the hour-strokes on the halfhours, a double strike-Wheel, one of said Wheels containing strike-notches from 9.30 to reales 3.30 and the other wheel the strike notches from 3.30 to 9.30, mechanism for causing the locking-finger to act with one wheel during a revolution thereof, and then act With the other.

S. In a clock, an hour-striking mechanism having a double strike-Wheel, part of the strike notches being in one wheel, and part in the other, mechanism for causing the locking-ingerto act with one Wheel during a revolution thereof, and then act with the other, with a half-hour-strike mechanism actuated on the half-hours, and devices actuated by the half-hour-strike mechanism whereby the hour-strike mechanism is released on the halfhours and the preceding hour-strokes repeated, substantially as and for the purpose described.

9. In a clock, an hour-striking mechanism adapted to repeat the hou r-strokes on the halfhouls, a double strike-Wheel, one of said Wheels containing strike-notches from 9.30 to 3.30, and the other wheel the strike notches from 3.30 to 9.30, mechanism for causing the locking-finger to act With one wheel duringa revolution thereof, and then act With the other; With a half-hour-strike mechanism actuated on the half-hours, and devices actuated by the halfhourstrike mechanism whereby the hour-strike mechanism is released on the halfhours and the preceding hour-strokes repeated after the half-hour stroke, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my oWn I affix mysignatu re in presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER CHARLES SCHUMAN.

In presence of- W. W. DAvIs, M. F. PRICE. 

